Many Palm Beach Parks & Rec programs are free or cheap

Are you interested in exploring nature? Do you enjoy learning about local flora and fauna and seeing creatures in their natural habit or would like to join a naturalist-led group hike to search for animals?

How does a guided walk through a pine flatwood forest to encounter wildlife along with a red-shouldered hawk sound?
Are you interested in learning more about and seeing up close an American alligator or Florida native gopher tortoise and exploring their habitat?

The Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Dept. offers public programs and activities to promote environmental awareness, conservation, recreation, and educate attendees.

Many programs are free with registration; others have nominal fees.

Daggerwing Nature Center, Boca Raton

Free access to Daggerwing Nature Center, Boca Raton

Daggerwing Nature Center includes a 3,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall with live animals and interactive state-of-the-art exhibits, classroom facilities, laboratory, art galle?ry, reading area, butterfly garden, and an elevated boardwalk.

Location: Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 11435 Park Access Road
Boca Raton.

Green Cay Nature Center, Boynton Beach

Where: 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach
Call: 561-966-7000
Cost: Free entry; some activities $5-$10

Okeeheelee Nature Center, West Palm Beach

Features 2.5 miles of trails winding through 90 acres of pine flatwoods and wetlands. Highlights of the center include hands-on exhibits, animal encounters and a nature related gift shop.

Location: 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach

Features: Alligator & other reptile and animal feedings. Families and all ages welcome for FREE (No reservations required).

For a complete list of activities at Okeeheelee, visit Parks & Recreation at pbcgov.org.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Admission is always free at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton has free admission and daily public feedings, plus educational talks, programs and events. Many are free, some require nominal fees and/or advance registration.

Florida Atlantic University has an onsite marine science laboratory with a gallery for viewing ongoing research projects. Plus, there are outdoor aquariums, an overlook tower, boardwalk and nature trails.

Location: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd.; (561) 544-8605.

Riverbend Park, Jupiter

Guided nature walks, animal encounters and more at Riverbend Park, Jupiter

Take a step back in time and enjoy walking, bicycling, riding, or canoeing through historic Riverbend Park. It boasts nearly 10 miles of hiking/biking trails, 7 miles of equestrian trails and 5 miles of canoeing/kayaking trails along the Loxahatchee River.

Location: Riverbend Park, 9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter

Grassy Waters Preserve, West Palm Beach

Reptiles, bugs, swamp tours & more, Grassy Waters Preserve

Discover more details: Grassy Waters Preserve and grassywaters.org.

There are 87 community, regional and county parks and recreation sites in Palm Beach. Visit Parks & Recreation Park Locator at pbcgov.org to find one near you.

Visit Calendar event pages at pbcgov.org for a comprehensive list to locate activities of interest in your area.

Note: All tours and activities are subject to change or cancelation; verify before heading out.

To keep up with the latest news, sign up for the South Florida on the Cheap newsletter. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Other nature activities in South Florida:

Many Palm Beach Parks & Rec programs are free or cheap - Are you interested in exploring nature? Do you enjoy learning about local flora and fauna and seeing creatures in their natural habit or would like to join a naturalist-led group… Read more »
Day trip: Pepper Ranch Preserve native sunflower viewing, Oct. 9-11 - Imagine a panoramic view of fields bursting with Southeastern native sunflowers. Well, now's your chance to experience it for yourself, thanks to the Collier County’s Conservation Collier Program While the… Read more »
Delightful night nature walks in Broward, $5 - For another kind of nightlife, try an evening nature walk at a Broward park. Some parks occasionally offer night hikes in forests, prairies, on shorelines and other intriguing outdoor spaces.… Read more »
Weston Regional Park offers playground, volleyball & other amenities - Sports enthusiasts and families are drawn to Weston Regional Park for its array of features and free events. The park amenities include: shaded playground roller hockey rinks beach tennis pickle… Read more »
Sugar Sand Park: Lots of free and cheap activities, Boca Raton - Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton is a popular local community park that is home to Children's Science Explorium, Willow Theatre and it also features a vintage Carousel. This is… Read more »
Free: Seminole Indigenous Arts celebration, Nov. 6-7, Big Cypress - The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum will once again host the American Indigenous Arts Celebration, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 6-7, 2026, on the museum’s festival grounds in Big Cypress.… Read more »
Hayrides and campfires with s'mores at Broward Parks - Broward County parks are offering family evening events with hayrides. The evening event includes hayrides and roasting s'mores around a fire at parks in Hollywood, Deerfield Beach, Oakland Park, Fort… Read more »
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center Volunteer 'Give-Back' Open House, Nov. 5 - If you love learning about the sea and its creatures and are looking for a way to give back to your community, the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton may… Read more »
Free: Haunted Nature Preserve, Lantana, Oct. 23 - The public is invited to attend a very special and spooky Halloween event to frolic among the Florida flora and fauna at this natural setting in Lantana. Take your little… Read more »
Feathers, Fangs, Fur, & Fun, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Oct. 25, Jupiter - Celebrate Halloween with the animals. There will be a costume parade, storytime and lots of fun family activities. Halloween Celebration at Busch Wildlife What: Trick-or-treating, Trivia, Tattoos, & more When:… Read more »
Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a nature oasis in the city - Have you visited the Miami Beach Botanical Garden lately? This 3-acre tropical oasis sits in the heart of Miami Beach, at 2000 Convention Center Drive, and is brimming with beauty.… Read more »
Top things to do in October in Palm Beach County - October is full of fall fun things to do, from Octoberfest through Halloween. South Florida has myriad activities, festivals and celebrations and many are free or cheap for families to… Read more »
Admission by donation: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Jupiter - Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter invites the public to participate in special activities. Daily admission is by donation (no set amount) to help sustain the facility and support animal conservation.… Read more »
Free tree giveaways for residents, Oct. 17 & 24 - As part of a municipal planting partnership between Community Greening and various localities in Palm Beach County, residents will be eligible to receive free trees to plant at their home;… Read more »
Free entry to LagoonFest, West Palm Beach, Oct. 31 - Whether your favorite marine animals are turtles, manatees, stingrays or crocs, you can celebrate them all at this annual event. LagoonFest When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to… Read more »
Sensory 3rd Saturdays at Manatee Lagoon, Riviera Beach, November-March - On the third weekend November-March, Manatee Lagoon hosts Sensory Saturdays for family members who prefer an inclusive experience with softer lighting, less noise, and still a lot of fun from… Read more »
Admission is always free at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - If you're on a quest to discover a place where you can take the kids and enjoy the day for next to nothing, then the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in… Read more »
Free: HallowMarine event at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Oct. 17-18 - Get ready for the annual HallowMarine event at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Activities include sustainable trick-or-treating, interactive displays, discovery shows, a junior vet lab, a costume contest and parade, plus visits… Read more »
EDventures, Spooky Safari & Fall Festival, Boynton Beach, through Nov. 1, - Bedner's Farm in Boynton Beach is not just a local attraction that hosts seasonal events that include a pumpkin patch, farmers market, fall festival, and hayrides on a private farm.… Read more »
Reptiles, bugs, swamp tours & more, Grassy Waters Preserve - Take a walk on the wild side or view from a safe distance ... and discover what's hiding in the lush Florida wetlands at Grassy Waters Preserve in West Palm… Read more »